Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) and NCM Fathom have joined forces to give fans the front-row treatment with the high-definition broadcast of UFC events. This collaboration brought the excitement of live mixed martial arts (MMA) to select movie theaters nationwide, offering fans an immersive experience.
UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2 - A Historic Event in Boston
Broadcast live from the TD Garden in Boston, the rematch between Frankie Edgar and BJ Penn was the first-ever UFC event in Massachusetts. Theatergoers across the country were part of history as mixed martial arts (MMA) came to Massachusetts for the first time following a two-year effort by legislators to bring the sport to the Bay State.
Signed into law in December 2009 by Gov. Deval Patrick, the regulation of MMA enabled the UFC to bring a full schedule of exciting events to Massachusetts including UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2.
UFC fans could catch all the action in their local theaters by purchasing tickets at www.FathomEvents.com and at presenting theater box offices. Fans who purchase four tickets to the in-theater event could receive a free TapouT t-shirt. Redemption details were available at www.ufc.com/4pack.
The Main Card and Key Fighters
The title fight was a rematch between Edgar and Penn, who last met in the Octagon at UFC 112 on April 10. That back-and-forth fight kept fans glued to their seats and ended with a razor-thin win by Edgar; Penn’s first loss in the 155-pound division since 2002. Despite controversy among fans and critics over the close scoring, Edgar walked away with the title as judges called the match 50-45, 48-47 and 49-46 in his favor.
Also on this card, UFC Hall of Famer, Randy Couture went toe-to-toe with boxing legend James Toney. The 41-year-old Toney made his UFC debut against Couture who has been a mainstay of MMA for over a decade and has been a three-time former heavyweight champion and a two-time light-heavyweight champion, as well as a former US Olympic wrestling team alternate in his pre-MMA days.
In addition to these two highly-anticipated fights, UFC 118 : Edgar vs. Penn 2 also featured the battle between Kenny Florian and Gray Maynard. Boston hometown favorite Florian pitted his impressive 13-4 professional record against Maynard’s flawless 9-0 with the next top lightweight contender spot on the line.
“If you can’t be ringside in Boston, be front-row center in your local movie theater for the ultimate UFC experience,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom.
GREATEST KNOCKOUTS in Every UFC Division! 👊
UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez - A Battle for the Heavyweight Title
Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) returned to movie theaters with the biggest fight of the year with UFC 121: Lesnar vs. PT. Broadcast live from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., the much anticipated fight card also featured the light heavyweight match-up between Tito Ortiz and his former “The Ultimate Fighter” protégé, Matt Hamill.
The baddest man on the planet, reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar attempted to successfully defend his title for a third-consecutive time, this time against unbeaten Cain Velasquez, who was looking to take Lesnar’s belt and become the first Mexican-American heavyweight champion in fighting history.
UFC fans could catch all the action in their local theaters by purchasing tickets at www.FathomEvents.com and at presenting theater box offices.
Key Fighters and Undercard Bouts
Coming off his UFC 116 win over interim title holder Shane Carwin, Lesnar came to UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez willing to put his title on the line just three months after defending it. A former NCAA National Wrestling Champion, Lesnar made his MMA debut in 2007, and has since skyrocketed up the ranks to become one of the most feared fighters in the sport. Now, Lesnar looked to defeat Velasquez, the game’s top rising star.
Velasquez last met “Minotauro” Nogueira in the Octagon in February, finishing him with a TKO in the first round. In addition to this highly-anticipated main fight card, the UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez Fathom event included the pivotal welterweight showdown between 170-pound contenders Jake Shields, in his Octagon debut, and Martin Kampmann, winner of four of his last five fights.
Plus, Tito Ortiz returned to the Octagon from surgery for a match-up against his former friend and “Ultimate Fighter” protégé, Matt Hamill, as they tried to knock each other down a rung on the light-heavyweight ladder.
Additional Fights on the Card
“The Ultimate Fighter” Season 10 finalist Brendan Schaub squared off against Gabriel Gonzaga in a heavyweight showdown and Diego Sanchez attempted to take out Paulo Thiago, a special ops police officer who has defeated Josh Koscheck and Mike Swick.
“There are some moments in sports that are just too big to miss and UFC 121 on the big screen is one of those,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom. “UFC fans will experience the thrill of sitting Octagon-side in local movie theaters around the country for this ultimate UFC event.”
Emagine Royal Oak: A Premier Venue
Emagine Royal Oak, located at 200 North Main Street, Royal Oak, Michigan, offered a unique movie-going experience. The venue opened 30 minutes before the first showtime and remained open 15 minutes after the last showtime.
Enhanced Amenities and Features
Emagine Royal Oak provided a range of features to enhance the viewing experience:
- 3D RealD: Crisp, bright, ultra-realistic images.
- Dolby Atmos: Immersive cinema audio with pinpoint accuracy.
- EMX Screens: Large screens with Dolby Atmos® sound and 4K projectors.
- Luxury Seating: Leather, power-reclining seats with stadium-style seating.
- Reserved Seating: Option to choose your seat ahead of time.
The Caesars Sportsbook Lounge Powered by Emagine
The Caesars Sportsbook Lounge Powered by Emagine brought a full Vegas-style experience while hosting exciting fan engagement events and offered unique promotions to movie and sports fans in the new premium venue. It showcased the biggest games of the day in professional and college sports. Admission was free and available on a first-come, first-served basis for individuals 21 years and older.
Additional Amenities
- Self-Serve Coke Freestyle Machine: Choose from over 100 flavors.
- Enhanced Concessions: Classic popcorn, candy, stone-fired pizzas, hot dogs, and soft pretzel bites.
- Gourmet Popcorn: Options including cheddar, caramel, and OlivEpop.
Other Noteworthy UFC Events in Theaters
NCM Fathom also hosted screenings in various markets. Some of the events included:
- UFC 111: St-Pierre vs. Hardy: Featuring champion Georges "Rush" St-Pierre vs. Dan Hardy and former heavyweight champion Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin for the interim UFC heavyweight title.
These events were broadcast to select movie theaters nationwide, providing fans with an unparalleled viewing experience. Tickets were available at www.FathomEvents.com and presenting theater box offices.